Decadent

Yesterday I did something I'd never done before.

I went to the nail salon and got a pedicure.  And it was SO luxurious.

The only problem was that I had no idea what to do.  Everyone else in the salon acted like they'd been there a million times - they were having all sorts of things done: nails, feet, eyebrows, makeup...and looked like regulars doing it. 

Wait.  You want me to test that water?  Ok.  reaches down and puts hand in water.

No no.  With feet.  Put feet in water to test.

Sheepishly.  Ok.  Yeah, feels good.  By the way, I have never had a pedicure before.

Looks at me blankly.  Sit here.  Put feet in water. 

So I sat there in the massage chair with my feet in the tub.  Watching the weather channel and flipping through a few smutty magazines and feeling uncomfortable without knowing what else to do.

After a few minutes, though, I gave in and let myself relax to the mechanical kneading of my back and the bubbling around my toes.  This is what I've been missing all this time?!

Twenty minutes later the massage and soaking part was done and I resumed my tin-man-like movements as the (what are they called?  nail technician? cuticle specialist?) lady maneuvered my stiff feet up and down, in and out of the water. 

Move up.  Tilt foot up.  Cut?  Add six dollar calming tablets to the water? 

No thanks.  Just the regular.

Eyes me like the cheapskate that I am.  No deluxe?  No french tips?  Move down.  Tilt foot down.  Back in water.

Nope, just the regular pedicure.  Please stop trying to up-sale me...I can't understand you and am worried I'll agree to something I don't want.

So I left with a bill for the regular pedicure and clean, callus-free feet, and sparkly cherry-red toes.  Oh, and a deeper understanding of why nail salons are always full despite the horrid chemical smell.